About

GAP

Program Goal

Remove barriers for at-risk young adults 18-24, through hands-on training in mechanics and employment skills.

Intended Outcomes

Over the course of 8-weeks, GAP aims to:

  • Engage participants in mechanics training, including +90-hours of shop time
  • Develop participants’ social and communication skills
  • Increase participants’ confidence facing job interviews
  • Cultivate a space of equity and inclusion while challenging gender norms
  • Develop long-lasting community connections and belonging

Things we’re learning

  • Employability skills include more than being able to fix and build a bike. To prepare participants for work, we train them to work in our retail shop and build interview skills.
  • By fostering community connections, participants become more aware of community resources available to them.
  • For many youth, the program has helped them build the confidence to go seek employment, through our annual hiring fair or on their own.
  • By fostering relationships and mentorship, GAP creates and opportunity where participants can imagine themselves stepping into a positive work environment of their own.

Annual Hiring Fair

Employability skills include more than being able to fix and build a bike. To prepare participants for work, we train them to work in our retail shop, build interview skills and host a hiring fair welcoming other bike shops. If hired, Two Wheel View subsidizes the first 100 hours of work similar to Canada Summer Job grants. To ensure participants have a positive work experience, TWV provides a list of guidelines that need to be met.

Impact Stories
My Story in GAP

May 11, 2023

I started GAP in late February and in the beginning of the program I was very shy and didn’t talk very much but with each week and getting to know the staff, my confidence grew more and more with each day of GAP.

Read More

Program Impact

87%

of participants reported feeling more hopeful about the future

91%

of participants report feeling more confident in their ability to look for a job

78%

of participants reported feeling less nervous about their first dat at a new job

I'm so grateful for the GEM program and the safer space it creates for gender expansive folx. Instead of entering the shop and finding gender dysphoria, I found a sense of familiarity and comfort in working with my hands and the euphoria of being able to do it as my authentic self.

GEM Participant

Thank you to our funders and supporters

This program would not be possible without the support of our partners.

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